Second oldest Wal-Mart employee in America works in Richmond

You might recognize Wal-Mart greeter Charlie Terry and his friendly smile. He’s been with the company since it opened its doors at the current location. What makes him so special? Several things.
While all good employees are valuable assets to any business, some just give it everything they’ve got as long as they’ve got it. And, considering Charlie’s age, he’s putting his all into his work.
Born in 1918, this down-to-earth man will celebrate nine years as a fulltime Richmond Wal-Mart employee in March. That’s what is special about Charlie.
He comes into work two hours before he needs to so he can have coffee and visit with coworkers before clocking in. Being a greeter seems to suit him.
“I started as an assembler in the garden center the first year. I’ve been a greeter ever since,” he smiled.
“I enjoy meeting the people,” he replied. “I have lots of friends. They even holler across the square when they see me.”
That makes Charlie special too.
But, what is really amazing about Charlie is that he says he is the second oldest Wal-Mart employee in America. Now, that is a claim to fame.
Manager David Penny said he wasn’t aware of this status, but that Charlie could have read about the oldest employee in the company newsletter and found that he was just a few years younger. Charlie said the oldest employee lives in Texas.
“I don’t know if he’s the second oldest employee or what, but we are very proud to have a World War II veteran working for us,” said Penny.
A paratrooper with the Army Airborne Infantry during WWII, MSgt Charles Terry was just 24 years old when he was dropped behind enemy lines on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. That makes him amazing and very special also.
Charlie didn’t want his age ‘mentioned. With a twinkle in his eyes, he said, “My kids think I’m in my sixties.”
When discussing how the work agrees with him physically, and how standing on the hard floors affects him, he just shrugged and said, “I try to think positively about it. I can’t just feel sorry for myself. I think if I went home and just sat down, I’d die.”
As for if he plans to work until he is 100, Charlie was quick to say, “David said he’d give me a raise if I did!”